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Founded July 16, 1769
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Personal ObservationsThis mission holds a special place for me as I always wanted to attend mass at a mission and San Diego was the first time I was able to do so. The first time I visited this mission was so long ago, I can't remember much. These photos are from two recent visits in 2002 and 2004. The visit in 2002, we were pressed for time, but in 2004 we |
 Mission Art & Photo-Art |
| took the time to explore more. In the 2004 visit, we also drove about six miles north to see the mission dam. A few photos here were take nduring a quick stop in 2005. In 2004, and 2005, we visited the original mission site on Presidio Hill. While being the first mission built in California, San Diego is not currently the largest and the design is simpler than some later missions. |
HistorySan Diego de Alcalá was the first mission built in Alto California. It was established on Presidio Hill near modern day Old Town on July 16, 1769. Later it moved six miles east because of conflicts between the native people and the soldiers at the Presidio. Following an attack on the mission in 1775, it returned to Presidio Hill for eight months, then returned in the summer of 1776 to the second location and rebuilt the church and other buildings. It has been there ever since. Most of the adobe buildings were destroyed by earthquakes in the early 1800s. The structures were rebuilt and in 1812, buttress wings were added.The Native Americans were slow to accept the Spanish. In November 1776, 800 men from various tribes attacked, burned, and looted the mission at the second location. Eight months later, the mission was rebuilt as a full quadrangle, larger than the original. Because the land was difficult to till and the water was not always plentiful, San Diego de Alcalá was always one of the poorest. In time the mission became more prosperous and 1797 was its most successful year. The mission controledl 50,000 acres. Agricultural products included corn, wheat, barley, kidney beans and chick peas, wine grapes, and vegetables. The mission owned 20,000 sheep, 10,000 cattle, and 1250 horses. Following secularization in 1834, the building were sold and fell into disrepair. The US Army occupied the site from 1850-1862, using the church as a stable. The mission and 22 acres were returned to the Catholic church in 1862. By the early 1920s all that remained were portions of the walls adjoining the buttresses, the campanario, and baptistry. Restoration began in 1931 at which time only a facade was still standing. The mission is still in use as a parish. It is one of three missions that is a basilica. Usually two priests were assigned to a mission, one in charge of administration, the other responsible for the religious education of the indigenous people. San Diego de Alcalá eventually established Mission Santa Ysabel as an asistencia mission about 60 miles north-east. An asistencia mission was an extension or sub-mission and Mission Santa Ysabel was one of two extension missions in the San Diego District. Address and Directions10818 San Diego Mission Road San Diego CA San Diego de Alcala is about six miles east of Old Town San Diego. From Interstate 8: Exit I-8 at Mission Gorge Road north, turn left at Twain which becomes San Diego Mission Road. From Interstate 15: Exit I-15 at Friars Road east, turn right at Rancho Mission Road, left on San Diego Mission Road. The mission is open daily and regular masses are celebrated. |
 Front. Fifth church. 1-11-04. |
 Church. 1-11-04. |
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San Diego
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